A major global event this year is the World Cup starting on June 12 in Brazil. Almost all the million football loving enthusiasts in most countries, especially in Nigeria, are looking forward to it. But most of the matches will be played in the wee hours of Nigeria when the viewing centres might not open or if they open, may be far from viewers to attend because of security issues.
Most football fans may not want to get the matches analyses from second hand information as they want to watch it live on good TV. In this regard, MultiChoice, the South African company that operates the DStv Satellite Television Service, has slashed the prices of the DStv decoder by 43 percent in Nigeria to enable Nigerian fans purchase the devices to watch the matches live from the comfort of their homes.
The price was cut from N27,000 to N15,500, which is part of DStv promo, a consideration aimed at attracting new subscribers to its network. Perhaps, this is also the time for those existing customers to also buy decoders as gift for others.
DStv is not stopping at cutting the price of decoder, it will this week launch its explorer where subscribers can record 220 hours of content and a box office to enable subscribers watch the latest movie for 24-hours without pirating.
Explaining the packages for the customers, Martin Mabutho, general manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, points out that due to the late broadcast of some of the games, the DStv mobile devices and the Explora decoder will come in handy, in ensuring viewers see all the action and do not miss out during the World Cup. “Walka 7 allows you to watch in traffic, and in the office, while the Explora with its two terabytes memory, gives viewers the opportunity to record all the games, right onto the decoder, and keep them for good.
He adds that “DStv subscribers can maximise their experience of football during the World Cup with the Catch Up feature on the Explora decoder, by accessing the stacked content and watching previously aired soccer matches.”
MultiChoice recently secured the rights to screen all the matches of the forthcoming FIFA World
Cup tournament. Nigeria’s Super Eagles and four other African countries – Ghana, Cameroon, Algeria and Côte d’Ivoire will lead the continent with hopes of lifting the prestigious trophy. It did not say how much it paid for the right.
In Nigeria, the organisation has the right to screen European league, competition watched through DStv which has excited Nigerians and created fans along clubs.
Speaking at a press conference to launch the campaign titled “We are Brazil,” Felix Awogu, general manager, SuperSport, says DStv and GOtv subscribers will get to watch all the matches with the best picture and sound quality available. There is also the added perk of watching live matches on the SuperSport HD channels on DStv.
“In addition to the world-class broadcast quality that is our trademark and which our subscribers will enjoy, they will also have access to insightful football analysis and thrilling magazine programmes that will showcase the stories outside the field of play,” he says, saying “we have four special shows specifically produced to further showcase the World Cup, Brazil and the fans. Most importantly, we will also give expert insight and analysis from our unmatched line up of presenters and studio guests.”
Asked about the special features on DStv since some free to air channels will beam some of the matches, Awogu says the subscribers can feel the players and the pitch when they watch the matches on SuperSport HD channels on DStv. “We plan to bring off the pitch events to subscribers depending on the camp rules,” he notes.
In Nigeria, the World Cup is generating greater interest as brand owners who are interested in catching eyeballs are keying into the tournament sponsorships. Other brands are taking fans to Brazil during the World Cup.
Experts predict that the World Cup will increase media advertising spend by about 25 percent relative to 2013. By now, creative agencies must be concluding touches to World Cup advertisement for companies who will leverage the tournament to promote their brands.
The offers by DStv must have excited Nigerians who are saying “let the World Cup come” as they are anxiously waiting for it to catch fun.
Daniel Obi
